Rubber Pellet Treatment

ABSTRACT

Rubber pellets are coated with an anti-tack material. The anti-tack material may be comprised of a metallic stearate, such as magnesium stearate. The coated rubber pellets are loaded on to a rotational conveyance mechanism that rotates at a speed and radial amount to provide an interaction time between the rubber pellets and the anti-tack material. The coated rubber pellets may then be dried in a centrifuge dryer having a plurality of angled fins extending from a rotational shaft.

CROSS-REFERENCE INFORMATION

This application having attorney docket number NIKE.292287/160326US02and entitled “Rubber Pellet Treatment” claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/466,119, entitled “Rubber PelletTreatment,” and filed Mar. 2, 2017. The entirety of the aforementionedapplication is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Uncured rubber is inherently tacky. As uncured rubber physicallyinteracts with other uncured rubber elements, such as pellets, theindividual uncured rubber elements may stick to each other. As theindividual pellets stick to each other, they may clump and be difficultfor future processing. As such, uncured rubber may be treated with ananti-tack material to reduce the tackiness of the uncured rubberelements. However, if anti-tack material is not applied appropriately,it can have adverse impact to the uncured rubber when later formed intoan intended article.

SUMMARY

Aspects hereof contemplate systems and methods for coating rubberpellets with an anti-tack material. The anti-tack material may becomprised of a metallic stearate, such as magnesium stearate. The coatedrubber pellets are loaded on to a rotational conveyance mechanism thatrotates at a speed and radial amount to provide an interaction timebetween the rubber pellets and the anti-tack material. The coated rubberpellets may then be dried in a centrifuge dryer having a plurality ofangled fins extending from a rotational shaft.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which areincorporated by reference herein and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system for treating rubber with an anti-tackmaterial, in accordance with aspects hereof;

FIG. 2 depicts a zoomed view of a portion of the system from FIG. 1, inaccordance with aspects hereof;

FIG. 3 depicts a side profile of the system provided in FIG. 2, inaccordance with aspects hereof;

FIG. 4 depicts a cut view of a centrifuge dryer, in accordance withaspects hereof;

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary method diagram for treating rubber, inaccordance with aspects hereof; and

FIG. 6 depicts an alternative method diagram for treating rubber, inaccordance with aspects hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is describedwith specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, thedescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent.Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject mattermight also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps orcombinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, inconjunction with other present or future technologies.

Rubber products, such as rubber pellets for use in subsequentmanufacturing processes, inherently have a tendency to stick to oneanother. As a result, aspects hereof contemplate applying an anti-tackcomposition to the rubber in an effort to reduce clumping of individualrubber products. However, application of anti-tack compositions can havean adverse impact on a resulting product formed from the treated rubber.For example, the anti-tack composition, if not controlled, can causephysical characteristics and aesthetic characteristics that are notdesired in the final product. Therefore, process constraints andmaterial selection is controlled to limit unintended results from use ofthe anti-tack composition.

Aspects hereof contemplate uncured rubber pellets being coated in aliquid anti-tack composition. The anti-tack composition may be comprisedof a metallic stearate, such as magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, orzinc stearate, for example. The anti-tack composition may be awater-dispersible composition having a range of 0.1% to 0.5% of solids.Subsequent to coating the rubber pellets with the liquid anti-tackcomposition, the anti-tack solution is dried with the rubber pellets.The drying may include transferring the coated rubber pellets from acoating machine to a rotary conveyance machine by a gravity feedingdrain plate. The rotary conveyance machine is able to control a dryingtime while minimizing a production footprint of the system. The rotaryconveyance machine rotates at a pre-determined rate to allow theanti-tack composition to interact sufficiently, but not too much, withthe rubber pellets before being transferred to a centrifugal dryer. Thecentrifugal dryer, in an exemplary aspect, is comprised of a pluralityof fins extending outwardly from a central rotational shaft. Selectionof the anti-tack composition and the rotatory conveyance machinerotational speed and the resulting holding time for the coated rubberpellets are coordinated to result in a sufficiently treated rubberpellet that is still capable of exhibiting intended physical andaesthetic characteristics when used to form a subsequent article.

An additional aspect herein is directed to a method of treating rubberpellets, such as recently formed rubber pellets that are substantiallyuncured, for a reduction in tackiness. The method is comprised ofcoating the rubber pellets with a liquid anti-tack material formingcoated pellets. The method may continue with loading the coated pelletson a rotary conveyance machine at a first location of the rotaryconveyance machine and then conveying the coated pellets on the rotaryconveyance machine for a time between 1 minute and 8 minutes to allow anintended interaction time between the anti-tack material and the rubberpellets based on a selection of the anti-tack material in an exemplaryaspect. The method may continue with dispensing the coated pellets fromthe rotary conveyance machine at a second location. The method also mayinclude drying the coated pellets in a centrifuge dryer having aplurality of fins extending outwardly from a shaft defining a centralrotational axis.

Additional exemplary aspects contemplate a system of treating rubberpellets for a reduction in tackiness. The system may include a coatingmachine. The coating machine includes a liquid reservoir of anti-tackmaterial. The anti-tack material is a composition comprised of metallicstearates, in an exemplary aspect. The system further includes a drainplate having a plurality of apertures extending there through thatextend to a rotational conveyance machine. The rotational conveyancemachine is comprised of a circular surface rotating at a rate between 1revolution per minute (“RPM”) and 0.125 RPM. The drain plate ispositioned above the circular surface at a first location of thecircular surface. The system may also include a dispensing componentpositioned above the circular surface at a second location of thecircular surface. The first location and the second location of thecircular surface are radially offset by at least 190 degrees in anexemplary aspect. The system may also be comprised of a centrifuge dryerhaving a plurality of fins extending outwardly from a central rotationalaxis about which a shaft rotates to which the fins are attached. Thecentrifuge dryer is positioned in a process flow direction subsequent tothe rotational conveyance machine.

FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for reducing tackiness of rubber pellets, inaccordance with aspects hereof. In an exemplary aspect, the system 100is comprised of a pelletizer 102, a coating machine 108, a drain plate114, a rotational conveyance machine 122, and a centrifuge dryer 144.While the various components of the system 100 are depicted generally,it is understood that any configuration and positioning may beimplemented. Further, while specific components are provided inconnection with the system 100, one or more of the components may beomitted or additional components may be implemented. Further, it iscontemplated that any number of the one or more components may beutilized in any combination in exemplary aspects.

The pelletizer 102 is effective to form rubber pellets. For example, thepelletizer may be comprised of an extruder 104 able to extrude rubberpellets from rubber stock. A rubber pellet is a discrete rubber elementintended to be used in a subsequent manufacturing processes, such asforming an article of footwear sole component. A rubber pellet may be acylindrical or spherical shape, in an exemplary aspect. The rubberpellets may be formed from an uncured rubber. As uncured rubber mayexhibit undesired tackiness, aspects herein contemplate applying ananti-tack material to the uncured rubber pellets to reduce cohesion ofthe rubber pellets to one another, which can aid in efficientmanufacturing of the pellets at later stages.

Uncured rubber, as used herein, is rubber that has yet to be vulcanizedor fully vulcanized. A vulcanization process can add stability to therubber material. This may be accomplished, in part, though a crosslinking of long polymer chains of the rubber. Vulcanization may beaccomplished with the introduction of sulfur or other curatives oraccelerators.

Once formed, the uncured rubber pellets are transferred through aconnector 106. The connector 106 may be any transfer means, such as aconveyor, a vacuum tube, or a fluid-filled connection. The connector 106is effective to transfer the rubber pellets from the pelletizer 102 orany other pellet source to the coating machine 108.

The coating machine 108 is effective to coat the rubber pellets with atleast an anti-tack material. The coating machine 108 may use a dip tank,a spray container, a dust box, or the like to apply the anti-tackmaterial to the rubber pellets. In an exemplary aspect the coatingmachine 108 is a liquid-based applicator. As such, the rubber pelletsare exposed to an aqueous solution into which the anti-tack material isdispersed, suspended, or floating. The solution may be a dip tankthrough which the rubber pellets are submerged or otherwise passed tocause a coating of the solution and anti-tack material onto one or moresurfaces of the rubber pellets. As the anti-tack material may be a solidsuspended in the aqueous solution, the water portion may be removedthrough subsequent drying and curing processes, as will be discussedhereinafter.

The coating machine 108 includes an outlet 112 from which anti-tackmaterial coated rubber pellets emerge. The coated rubber pellets maytravel down a drain plate 114 from a proximal end 116 to a distal end118. The drain plate 114 is comprised of one or more apertures 120. Theapertures 120 provide a first anti-tack material recovery option. Forexample, the drain plate 114 may be positioned such that the proximalend 116 is higher than the distal end 118, as will be seen in betterdetail in FIG. 3 hereafter. This downward slope allows for the drainplate 114 to be a gravity-fed movement mechanism for transporting thecoated pellets from the coating machine 108 to a next process, such asthe rotational conveyance machine 122. The drain plate may also have avibration generator that causes a vibrational character to the drainplate, which may enhance the movement of coated rubber pellets along thedrain plate 114. As the recently coated rubber pellets traverse thedrain plate 114, excess anti-tack material may drain through the one ormore apertures 120 to be collected by an anti-tack collection system110. The captured anti-tack material may be recycled for use in thecoating machine 108.

The rotational conveyance machine 122 is comprised of an inner perimeter126 and an outer perimeter 124. The rotational conveyance machine 122rotates about a rotational axis 128 in a direction of rotation 130. Therotational conveyance machine 122 is used in place of a linearconveyance mechanism, in an exemplary aspect, as it provides for asmaller footprint within the manufacturing facility and allows for arotational direction change of the rubber pellets. The rotationalconveyance machine 122 is contemplated as having a rubber pelletconveyance area that is a ring-like structure contained between theinner perimeter 126 and the outer perimeter 124.

Based on the rubber pellet structure, the anti-tack materialcomposition, and the intended final use of the rubber pellets, arotational speed of the rotational conveyance machine 122 is set. Forexample, the rotational conveyance machine 122 may have a least 0.125revolutions per minute (“RPM”) while being less than 0.75 RPM. This rateof rotation provides a sufficient curing time for the anti-tack materialto interact with the rubber pellets without introducing sufficientangular velocity to cause unintended movement of the rubber pellets tothe outer perimeter 124 and without allowing for an inefficient curingprocess from a time perspective. In an alternative manner, it iscontemplated that the rotational conveyance machine 122 maintains thecoated rubber pellets before dispensing them for a time range of 1minute up to 8 minutes. Less than 1 minute may not provide sufficientinteraction between the coated rubber pellets and the contemplatedanti-tack material. In an exemplary aspect, the rotational conveyancemachine 122 rotates at about 0.15 to 0.25 RPM.

At a second location of the rotational conveyance machine 122, adispensing component 132 removes the coated rubber pellets from therotational conveyance machine 122. Therefore, the coated rubber pelletsare introduced to the rotational conveyance machine 122 at a firstlocation proximate the distal end 118 of the drain plate 114 and thecoated rubber pellets are removed from the rotational conveyance machine122 at the second location. The first location and the second location134 on the rotational conveyance machine 122 may be radially offset byat least 190 degrees. The at least 190 degrees allows the RPM to bewithin the provided range while still achieving the provided interactiontimes. Additionally, the greater than 190 degrees for a rotationaldirection change for purposes of the manufacturing footprintoptimization. Additionally, it is contemplated that the first locationand the second location are offset by at least 1.1 Radians.

The dispensing component 132 is comprised of a diversion element 136effective to translate the rotational energy of the rotationalconveyance machine 122 to a lateral movement of the rubber pellets. Thisconversion of energy rotational force to lateral movement force allowsfor the rubber pellets to move towards the outer perimeter 124 from amore interior portion on the rotational conveyance machine 122, such asthe inner perimeter 126. In further support of removing the rubberpellets from the rotational conveyance machine 122, an air nozzle maydirect pressurized air in a direction from an interior radius towards anexterior radius, such as the inner perimeter 126 toward the outerperimeter 124. The air nozzle 138 may be supplied by a fluidly coupledcompressor 140. The pressurized air may also be effective for removingexcess anti-tack material on the rotational conveyance machine 122and/or the coated rubber pellets. Anti-tack material that is dislodgedfrom the rotational conveyance machine 122 and/or the coated rubberpellets may be captured by the dispensing component, such as a cover ofthe dispensing component, and provided to the anti-tack collectionsystem 110 in an exemplary aspect to increase efficient use of theanti-tack material.

The coated rubber pellets are transferred from the rotational conveyancemachine 122 to the centrifuge dryer 144 by a centrifuge connector 143.Similar to the connector 106, the centrifuge connector 143 may be anytransfer means, such as a conveyor or a vacuum transfer hose. Thecentrifuge connector 143 is effective to transfer the coated rubberpellets from the rotational conveyance machine 122 to the centrifugedryer 144.

The centrifuge dryer 144 (or generally referenced as a dryer) is a dryereffective to remove fluid, such as excess liquid anti-tack material fromthe coated rubber pellets. The centrifuge dryer 144 is comprised of arotational shaft 142 having a plurality of angled fins thereon that areeffective to agitate and dry the coated rubber pellets, as will bedepicted in FIG. 4 in greater detail. While the centrifuge connector 143is depicted as entering a top portion of the centrifuge dryer 144, it isunderstood that the centrifuge connector 143 may instead deposit thecoated rubber pellets at any location, such as a bottom portion of thecentrifuge dryer 144. For example, the centrifuge dryer 144 may rotatethe rubber pellets until they reach an upper portion of the rotationalshaft 142 as a means of determining when a sufficient amount ofanti-tack material has been removed as evidenced by the ability of therubber pellets to rise up the rotational shaft 142 and associated fins.A centrifuge dryer, in an exemplary aspect, allows for drying of rubberpellets without affecting the thermal characteristics of the rubber. Forexample, as rubber is heated, it may have a greater affinity to betacky, which is counterproductive for an anti-tack system, such as thesystem 100.

The system 100 may be further comprised of a transfer mechanism 146. Thetransfer mechanisms may be effective for transferring the dried coatedrubber pellets from the centrifuge dryer 144. The transfer mechanism 146may be a conveyor and/or a vibration mechanism.

While specific components are depicted and discussed, it is contemplatedthat alternatives may be used in connection with the system 100. Forexample, instead of a centrifuge dryer, a microwave or thermal heatermay be used.

FIG. 2 depicts a zoomed perspective of the coating machine 108 and therotational conveyance machine 122, in accordance with aspects hereof.Specifically, pellets 202 are depicted as transferring from the coatingmachine 108 down the drain plate 114 to the rotational conveyancemachine 122. The pellets 202 are then dispensed by the dispensingcomponent 132 that diverts the pellets 202 from an internal portion 206to and external portion 204. This diversion may be in part accomplishedthrough a translation of rotational force supplied by the rotationalconveyance machine 122. Additionally, the compressed air supplied by theair nozzle 138 may be effective to move the pellets 202 towards theexternal portion 204.

FIG. 3 depicts a side profile of a portion of the system 100, inaccordance with aspects hereof. Specifically, relative heights andangles of the coating machine 108, the drain plate 114, the rotationalconveyance machine 122, and the centrifuge connector 143 are provided.For example, the proximal end 116 of the drain plate 114 is a distance302 below an exit point from a submersion or other coating portion ofthe coating machine 108. The drain plate 114 is angled such that gravitymay assist in the transfer of coated rubber pellets toward the distalend 118. The distal end 118 is above the rotational conveyance machine122 by a distance 304. By having the distal end 118 above the rotationalconveyance machine 122, coated rubber pellets may be deposited from thedrain plate 114 to the rotational conveyance machine 122 with minimaladditional input energy. Similarly, the coated rubber pellets may bedispensed or removed from the rotational conveyance machine 122 at thecentrifuge connector 143 with minimal additional input energy as thedistance 306 allows for gravitational energy to be leveraged.

FIG. 4 depicts an exposed simplified perspective of the centrifuge dryer144, in accordance with aspects hereof. As seen in FIG. 4, thecentrifuge dryer 144 is comprised of the rotational shaft 142 having aplurality of fins 402 coupled thereto. The fins 402 may be arrangedhaving an angular orientation that creates an upward movement ofmaterial and/or air when the rotation is in a clockwise manner asdepicted in FIG. 4. For example, an angle 404 is depicted from ahorizontal plane 406 for a particular fin 408. It is contemplated thatall fins have a similar angle 404 in an exemplary aspect. In analternative, it is contemplated that as fins extend along a longitudinalaxis of the rotational shaft, the angle changes. For example, finscloser to the top of the rotational shaft 142 may have a greater or alesser angle than fins at a bottom of the rotational shaft 142.

While not depicted, it is contemplated that the rotational shaft 142 andassociated fins may be encased in a screen, such as a tubular sleevethat surrounds, without contacting, the rotational shaft and fins. Thescreen may be effective to keep the coated rubber pellets in contactwith the fins while allowing the rotational force of the rotationalshaft and fins to expel liquid, such as the anti-tack material, throughthe screen. In this way, the rotational forces that are effective toremove excess fluid from the individual rubber pellets through thescreen is resisted by the screen to maintain the pellets within a volumethat allows them to interact with the rotational shaft and fins. Stateddifferently, the screen is effective to keep the rubber pellets incontact with the rotational shaft and fins while still allowing theliquid to move away and out of interaction with the rotational shaft andfins, in an exemplary aspect.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary method 500 for treating rubber pellets withan anti-tack material, in accordance with aspects hereof. At a block502, rubber pellets are coated with an anti-tack material, such as acomposition comprising metallic stearates. The composition may be anaqueous solution having 0.1% to 0.5% solids. The composition may befurther comprised of surfactants, anti-foam agents, and water, forexample. The rubber pellets, which may be any size or shape, may becoated by a dipping method or spraying method, for example.

At a block 504, the coated pellets are loaded on a rotational conveyancemachine. The loading may be accomplished, at least in part, with a drainplate to remove an initial portion of excess anti-tack liquid material.For example, the coated rubber pellets may be vibrated down a slopeddrain plate having a plurality of drain apertures extending therethrough. The drain apertures may be smaller than the pellet size toprevent a loss in pellets while allowing for a capture of the excessanti-tack material.

At a block 506, the coated pellets are conveyed on the rotationalconveyance machine for a time between 1 and 8 minutes. The conveyancetime allows for an appropriate curing and interaction between theanti-tack material and the rubber pellets. Time less may not allow forsufficient coverage and maintenance of the anti-tack material on therubber pellets to achieve a threshold level of anti-tack. A conveyancetime longer than 8 minutes, in an exemplary aspect, may notsignificantly increase anti-tack properties while insertinginefficiencies into the overall process.

At a block 508, the coated pellets are dispensed from the rotationalconveyance machine at at least 190 degrees from where the pellets whereloaded onto the rotational conveyance machine.

It is contemplated that additional steps may be included with the method500. For example, additional drying may be performed by a centrifugedryer.

FIG. 6 depicts a method 600 for treating rubber pellets with anti-tackmaterial, in accordance with aspects hereof. At a block 602, a pellet isformed. The pellet may be formed by a pelletizer. The pelletizer mayimplement an extruder to form the pellet. The pellet may be an uncuredrubber that is susceptible to sticking with other recently-form rubberpellets. As such, aspects herein contemplate treating the rubber pelletwith an anti-tack material.

At a block 604, the pellets are coated with an anti-tack material, suchas a composition comprising metallic stearates, like magnesium stearate.At a block 606, the pellets are loaded on a rotational conveyancemachine after being coated. The pellets are then conveyed from by therotational conveyance machine, as provided in a block 608. Theconveyance provides a time for interaction between the rubber pelletsand the anti-tack material prior to dispensing the pellets from therotational conveyance mechanism, as provided in a block 610. The method600 also includes drying the rubber pellets after having been conveyedby the rotational conveyance machine. The drying may be accomplished bya non-thermal process, such as a centrifuge dryer. The centrifuge dryermay rapidly spin the rubber pellets such that excess liquid is pulledfrom the rubber pellet surfaces. It is also con template that the driedpellets may then be vibrated to move the pellets and to reduce stickingbetween individual pellets, in an exemplary aspect.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forthtogether with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherentto the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims.

While specific elements and steps are discussed in connection to oneanother, it is understood that any element and/or steps provided hereinis contemplated as being combinable with any other elements and/or stepsregardless of explicit provision of the same while still being withinthe scope provided herein. Since many possible embodiments may be madeof the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanyingdrawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of treating rubber pellets for areduction in tackiness, the method comprising: coating the rubberpellets with a liquid anti-tack material forming coated pellets; loadingthe coated pellets on a rotary conveyance machine at a first location ofthe rotary conveyance machine; conveying the coated pellets on therotary conveyance machine for a time between 1 minute and 8 minutes;dispensing the coated pellets from the rotary conveyance machine at asecond location; and drying the coated pellets in a centrifuge dryerhaving a plurality of fins extending outwardly from a central rotationalaxis.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming the rubberpellets prior to coating the rubber pellets.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the second location is greater than 190 degrees from the firstlocation.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location and thesecond location of the rotary conveyance machine are radially offset byat least 1.1 Radians.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotaryconveyance machine has a rotational velocity of at least 0.125revolutions per minute (“RPM”).
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein therotary conveyance machines has a rotational velocity less than 0.75 RPM.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-tack material is acomposition comprised of metallic stearates.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein the metallic stearates is comprised of magnesium stearate. 9.The method of claim 1 further comprising vibrating the coated pellets.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid anti-tack material iscomprised of a solid content between 0.1% and 0.5%.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein dispensing the coated pellets from the rotaryconveyance machine is comprised of projecting an air stream from aninternal radius of the rotational conveyance machine towards an externalradius of the rotational conveyance machine.
 12. The method of claim 11further comprising, covering at least a portion of the rotary conveyancemachine along the air stream path, the covering captures at least someof the liquid anti-tack material contacted by the air stream.
 13. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising conveying the coated pellets fromthe rotary conveyance machine to a dryer and drying the coated pellets.14. The method of claim 13 further comprising vibrating the coatedpellets subsequent to conveying the coated pellets from the rotaryconveyance machine.
 15. A system of treating rubber pellets for areduction in tackiness, the system comprising: a coating machine, thecoating machine comprising a liquid reservoir of anti-tack material,wherein the anti-tack material is a composition comprised of metallicstearates; a drain plate having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; a rotational conveyance machine comprising a circular surfacerotating at a rate between 1 revolution per minute (“RPM”) and 0.125RPM, wherein the drain plate is positioned above the circular surface ata first location of the circular surface; a dispensing componentpositioned above the circular surface at a second location of thecircular surface, wherein the first location and the second location ofthe circular surface are radially offset by at least 190 degrees; and acentrifuge dryer having a plurality of fins extending outwardly from acentral rotational axis, wherein the centrifuge dryer is positioned in aprocess flow direction subsequent to the rotational conveyance machine.16. The system of claim 15 further comprising a pelletizer, thepelletizer includes an extruder that forms rubber pellets that passthrough the system.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the dispensingcomponent is comprised of a diversion element angularly offset with adistal end of the diversion element is farther in a direction ofrotation than an opposite proximal end of the diversion element.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the dispensing component further comprisesan air nozzle, the air nozzle positioned on rotation-ward side of thediversion element, the air nozzle positioned to direct air from aninternal portion towards an external portion of the circular surface.19. The system of claim 15 further comprising: a dryer positioned in arubber pellet flow direction subsequent to the dispensing component; anda vibration table positioned in the rubber pellet flow directionsubsequent the dryer.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the coatingmachine outputs rubber pellets at a height above a receiving end of thedrain plate, a dispensing end of the drain plate is above the circularsurface.